GeekSugar

Daily Tech: LG Debuts Video Phone Watch at CES

GeekSugar — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:00:24 PST

Labeled as the "smallest wrist phone in existence", the LG GD910 is the first HSDPA wrist phone by LG and comes with a touchscreen, MP3 playback and high speed video conferencing. - Unplggd
Microsoft's free Windows 7 Beta is now available for everyone to download. - Gizmodo
Intel will soon be coming out with a new touchscreen tablet-style PC called the Classmate. - Switched
Urban Tool bags offer a hip and non-conventional way to tote around your gadgets. - CrunchGear
Dell has just announced its latest notebook - the Adamo. This thin, black notebook, is not a Netbook since it has a processor inside, but other than that, details are still limited. - CNET

Website of the Day: Lovestagram

Kelly Schwarze — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:50:25 PST

Snap-happy sweethearts, have we got a Valentine's gift for you. Reminiscent of the candy grams once sent to classmates, Lovestagram adds a heart, pink toy camera, or cinnamon candy border to favorite Instagram shots.

Created by Kaitlyn Trigger, who happens to be the longtime love of one of the Instagram founders Mike Kreiger, Lovestagram selects photos you and the Instagram user of your affection have both liked or commented on to use in one of the three borders. The relevant comment that appeared on the original Instagram photo appears with the Lovestagram, as well as a personalized sweet note.

Our "Roadway to My Heart" Downloadable Valentine Is Perfect For School!

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:32:24 PST

Who needs hearts, kisses, and all that pink? If your home is filled with lil ones who'd rather play with cars, trucks, and things that go than add some glitter to a valentine he'll hand out at school, we've got just the card for you! We were challenged by the editors at Martha Stewart's Living in the Family Room blog to create a boy-friendly valentine that would get tots excited about more than the candy associated with Feb. 14.

The result: "Roadway to My Heart," an interactive card that combines a downloadable valentine and Matchbox cars.

Keep reading for the free download and step-by-step instructions for creating the card at home.

How to Stop Keeping Up With the Joneses

LearnVest — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:15:16 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

At first glance, it doesn’t seem like there are many money lessons to learn from The Real Housewives.

One spent a season building a $1.8 million mansion and driving around a $1,280-per-month Escalade, only to file for bankruptcy with almost $11 million in debt.

Shortly postbankruptcy, she dropped another $60,000 on a shopping spree so she could continue to fit in with those in her social circle.

Even if you don’t end up with millions of dollars in debt - or have friends who are millionaires - trying to keep up with the Joneses (or the Gorgas, in this case) can not only make you feel lousy about yourself, but also inspire bad spending decisions. We call this phenomenon “money comparisonitis.”

How Having "Comparisonitis" Affects Us

In our own lives, the dangers of gazing enviously at the Real Housewives’ spending sprees, our neighbor’s new car, or that family down the street who can send their kids to private school are not only the fact that it makes us feel bad, but that it literally distorts our view of reality.

In other words, we look at celebrities like the Kardashians or the wealthier people we know, and we try to emulate their spending habits. “You’re not being truthful with yourself,” says Susan L. Hirshman, president of She Ltd., a consulting firm focused on enhancing women’s wealth, and the author of Does This Make My Assets Look Fat?. “As they make more money, that allows them to live a certain lifestyle.” In other words, you have to face facts and spend in accordance with your own budget, rather than feeling entitled to live a certain way just because other people do.

Read on for more.

Group Therapy: What's the Best Way to Turn Down a Date?

Tres Community — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:05:43 PST

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

Today after work I stopped to put gas in my car. While I was waiting the guy next to me said I was beautiful, asked if I was in a relationship and asked for my number. I was put off by his approach and the fact that he didn't even ask my name. Whenever I am asked out it is usually by a classmate or someone I have hung out with before or met at work, so I was caught off guard. I turned him down by saying "sorry, but you are too old for me." I know, horrible thing to say. But, it was true (I'm 21 he was 30). When he left I felt really bad and now I am wondering what is the best way to turn down a complete stranger who asks for your number?

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

Tiger Moms Are So Last Year: Meet Lawnmower Mom, the Pushy Parent of 2012

Natasha Dantzig — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:32:00 PST

You thought Tiger Mom was tough and helicopter mom a bit overbearing. There's a new parenting style making the rounds, and it's not pretty. Meet Lawnmower Mom: she can be found lurking around the sidelines of her kids sporting events, ready to jump in and "mow" down anything - or anyone - who gets in the way of her lil one. Parents who are a little too invested in their kids' games, screaming and yelling at coaches and arguing with referees, aren't a new concept, but this new breed of aggressive parenting takes the whole inappropriate exchange to a violent, utterly unacceptable new level: there are reports of mothers going so far as to attack other children who they feel have wronged their child in some way.

The "lawnmower mom's" behavior isn't limited to the field; CBS reports that one mother actually encouraged her 12-year-old to brawl with her classmates, and then got in on the action herself, throwing punches. Like helicopter moms, the lawnmower mom believes it's up to her to shepherd her child through life, clearing their path of every obstacle - real or imagined.

Have you ever met a lawnmower parent? How did you handle it?

Elle Fanning and Her We Bought a Zoo Love Interest Colin Ford Talk Awkward Flirtation and Matt Damon's Big Fear

Lindsay Miller — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:25:58 PST

Elle Fanning and Colin Ford might have an awkward flirtation in We Bought a Zoo, but the costars were already comfortable with each other once they got to set - they're real-life classmates! We sat down with the duo at the recent press day for their new film in NYC, where we talked about their onscreen romance, working with wild animals, and the moment their costar Matt Damon got genuinely scared on the set. Check out our interview and see Elle and Colin in We Bought a Zoo when it hits theaters this weekend.

10 Tips For Keeping the Truth About Santa a Secret!

LilSugar — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:59:01 PST

There's no Christmas like one when a child believes in Santa! Years ago, St. Nick showed up at our family gathering and pulled a red trike out for my cousin. The then-preschooler leaped from the floor with an expression so priceless I can still picture it. We all remember the moment we found out that truth about Santa Claus. (I was 7 when a classmate told me she found a red suit in her father's closet.) And then as parents, we have those close calls with our own offspring. If you want your tots to be believers, here are some helpful hints for keeping the jolly old fellow's spirit alive. . . at least for a little longer!

Don't play Santa at school or family events. Kids know their parent despite the padded suit, white wig, and stick-on beard.
Shop solo - children notice when you try to sneak items into the cart.
Figure out a really good hiding place to stash your loot. Lil snoops will find gifts in obvious places (and perhaps even open, peek, and rewrap them).
Have Santa gift your kid an item you would never purchase. It throws even the most curious child for a loop.
Wrap gifts from Santa in a special wrapping. If mom uses the same patterned paper for her presents or a roll is laying around the house, it can raise suspicion.
Disguise penmanship on gift tags. If you normally use cursive, print or write with your opposite hand.
Excited kids can be restless. Make sure they are really asleep (hand test, breath test, etc.) before you cart out the Christmas loot. And have a backup plan if your wee one wakes!
Consume the child's offerings for Santa. Nibble the cookie and sip the milk. Putting the full glass back in the fridge or returning baked treats to the cupboard can be a big mistake.
Even if the house is heavy with mistletoe, don't let your lil one catch mommy kissing Santa Claus!
There's nothing like a report of reindeer prints on the roof or a little soot left in the chimney to confirm that Santa was indeed on the premises.

And, if your child still figures it all out, ask them to be your elf and assist in keeping the magic alive for younger siblings.

Group Therapy: My Boyfriend Things I'm Ugly

Tres Community — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 03:05:22 PST

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

And it hurts. It really does.

I spent my entire life hearing that I was ugly or weird from classmates, siblings, sometimes my own mom. I found my boyfriend, and we've been together for quite some time, and it did feel nice to know someone thought I was worth looking at. I was wrong. Today he came out and said that he dated me because I was an awesome person, but look wise I'm pretty much nothing. I should have expected it, but I really just wanted to be wanted for once.

I don't know no one is really reading this. Maybe it's just a bad day.

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

Patton Oswalt Says His Young Adult Costar Charlize Theron Is "Amazing in This Role"

Shannon Vestal — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 11:10:47 PST

Patton Oswalt stars in this week's Young Adult opposite Charlize Theron as an old high school classmate of her character Mavis, and I sat down to chat with Patton about the movie. He talked about how he got the role and how he prepared for the film, like hiring an acting coach and using a physical therapist for his character's mannerisms. He also talked about his beautiful costar Theron, their easy chemistry, and the boozy nights out they've had together. Watch now.